Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police Officers: Harm in the Line of Duty

Monday 7 June 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to protecting police officers by proposing legislation to enshrine a police covenant in law and doubling the maximum sentence for assaults on emergency workers.
  • Government highlights increased police recruitment as a response to support police efforts in tackling violent crime and antisocial behaviour.
  • Sarah Jones notes 30,000 assaults on police officers in England and Wales annually, questioning why preventive measures are not being implemented alongside sentencing increases.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Daly
Policing & Resources
Context

The question arises from concerns over the safety of police officers in the line of duty and the need for legislative and operational support.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to protect police officers from harm in the line of duty. I am concerned about ensuring that our brave police officers receive the support and protection they deserve.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

The Government are completely committed to ensuring that our brave police officers receive the support and protection they deserve. We have proposed legislation to enshrine in law a police covenant and to double the maximum sentence for assaults on emergency workers. We also continue to invest in direct support to the police through the National Police Wellbeing Service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify how many officers will be protected or what tools they will receive.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 James Daly
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

This question is prompted by the need for police officers to have adequate tools and support, especially in light of increasing violent crime.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital that our police have the tools to tackle violent crime and antisocial behaviour in Bury, Ramsbottom, Tottington, and throughout the country? I welcome the commitments this Government has made to cut crime and get more police on to our streets.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

I know from conversations with my hon. Friend that he is a powerful supporter of the police, particularly in his own constituency, and he wants more of his constituents to meet more of the police officers who are being recruited into his local force at some rate of knots. While it is true that having the police officers will make a huge difference, so will giving them exactly the kind of tools that he has talked to me about in the past to do their job.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify what exact tools and support will be provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question stems from a significant increase in assaults on police officers, as highlighted by the National Police Chiefs Council figures showing a 26% rise in assaults on emergency workers.

Question

There have been 30,000 assaults on police officers in England and Wales in a year. I am glad that the Government have finally listened to calls from Labour to increase sentences for people who assault emergency workers, but why are they doing absolutely nothing to stop the assaults in the first place? If I was in government, I would commission Home Office research into exactly who is assaulting our officers and why.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

You will have to advise me, Mr Speaker, on whether it is in order for a Member to speak in support of something she voted against, but I welcome the hon. Lady's belated support for the doubling of sentences for assaults on emergency workers, which was included in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, against which the Opposition voted. She is right, though, to raise the issue, which has been of serious concern to us for some time, of the rise in assaults on emergency workers.

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific ask about measures to prevent assaults or a commitment to investigate them.

How: Redirecting Attention To Voting Record

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email